Petr Broz

Petr Broz is a Full Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne (UNIL), where he has been a faculty member since 2017, first as Associate Professor and promoted to Full Professor in 2022. His research focuses on the molecular mechanisms of innate immunity, particularly inflammasome activation and host defense against bacterial pathogens such as Salmonella typhimurium and Francisella tularensis.

• Appointed Full Professor, UNIL, 2022
• Associate Professor, UNIL, 2017–2022
• Assistant Professor, Biozentrum, University of Basel, 2013–2017
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Stanford University, 2008–2012
• PhD in Microbiology, University of Basel, 2006
• MSc in Biology, University of Basel, 2002

Dr. Broz’s research explores how the innate immune system detects bacterial pathogens and mounts defensive responses. His work investigates inflammasome assembly, regulation, and function, particularly in the context of interferon signaling and CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic screens. He uses advanced molecular and cellular techniques to dissect host-pathogen interactions and identify novel immune regulators.

The 15 most recent publications highlight a strong focus on inflammasome biology, pyroptosis, interferon signaling, and bacterial immune evasion. These works span high-impact journals such as Nature, Science, Nature Immunology, and PNAS, demonstrating consistent contributions to immunology and infection biology. Key themes include the spatiotemporal regulation of inflammasomes, the role of gasdermin D in cell death, and the interplay between interferon responses and inflammasome activation.

Scientific awards and recognition include:

• EMBO Young Investigator (2015)
• Friedrich Miescher Award (2016)

He has received multiple grants from the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and an ERC Consolidator Grant, supporting his innovative research. Dr. Broz is actively involved in mentoring and has supervised numerous PhD students, master’s students, and postdoctoral fellows. His laboratory integrates genomic, biochemical, and immunological approaches to uncover fundamental mechanisms of immune defense. He is also engaged in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching at UNIL.

His research team operates at the forefront of molecular immunology, utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as CRISPR screening and live-cell imaging to study host defense mechanisms in real time. The lab collaborates with national and international partners to advance understanding of infectious diseases and inflammatory processes.